I saw a poor chap lose a shoe in this muddy mess the other day and decided it was time to speak up.

All winter the lower path next to the water ices over and has to be closed. The upper portion becomes the trail.

Thankfully the ramps were paved back in 2011 but they stopped short. There is now a very short section only a couple hundred yards long that turns into a mud pit from winter to spring every year. It's the crucial link between the loop and the northern portion of the trail.

Many people use this path to commute or recreate year-round.

Join me in telling the Park District to connect the pavement on this upper level and link up the trail to keep the entire path usable in every season. My email is below; feel free to copy it or rewrite in your own words.

http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/contact/

The Lakefront Trail mud pit on the bypass between Fullerton and Webster is inexcusable.

Every winter this vital section of the route turns into an impassable mess. As evidenced by the many thousands of footprints and bicycle ruts this portion of the trail is a crucial year-round transportation and commuting link.

The few hundred yards between the paved ramps need to be connected with pavement. Trail users will often try to go around the mud by riding or running along the narrow 2-foot retaining wall, risking a nasty fall.

This must be remedied by connecting pavement on this very short section of trail. It will allow thousands of people to continue using the trail year-round and enable Park District Vehicles to conduct proper trail maintenance and snow removal.

Here is the trail in March. Fun for cyclocross but not for going to work! The lower level is still impassible because of the snow. Most people test their balance and thrill seeking ability by running and riding along the 2-foot wide retaining wall. (Note the car traffic high & dry on the carefully maintained Lake Shore Dr)

Here is the trail in February. For most of winter the retaining wall is ice & snow covered and riding along it is not even an option. Even walking atop the wall is treacherous.